Who Is Still Alive From ‘The Jeffersons’?
When you think of classic sitcoms, The Jeffersons will probably immediately come to mind. The show, which ran from 1975 to 1985, was the groundbreaking spinoff of All in the Family, following George and Louise “Weezy” Jefferson as they moved on up to the East Side. It tackled race, class and social issues with humor and heart, thanks to a stellar cast led by Sherman Hemsley and Isabel Sanford, and had one of the most iconic theme songs in TV history.
Sadly, decades after the show ended, many of the beloved stars of The Jeffersons have since passed away, including Hemsley, Sanford, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover, Zara Cully, Mike Evans and Paul Benedict. However, a few key cast members are still with us, and their legacies continue to shine. Let’s take a look at the surviving stars and what they’ve been up to in recent years.
Damon Evans (75)
Lionel Jefferson #2
Everett Collection
Damon Evans stepped into the role of Lionel Jefferson after Mike Evans (no relation) left the show. He played Lionel for three seasons before Mike returned for season six. Though he wasn’t the original Lionel, Damon made the character his own, adding depth to the role of George and Weezy’s son.
Beyond The Jeffersons, Evans gave a memorable performance as author Alex Haley in Roots: The Next Generations and found success on stage, playing Sportin’ Life in Porgy and Bess. His last IMDb credit is a movie called Going the Distance in 2000. Now 75, Evans has largely stepped away from Hollywood, but his time on The Jeffersons remains a key part of TV history.
Berlinda Tolbert (75)
Jenny Willis Jefferson
Scott Enyart/TV Guide/©CBS/Everett Collection; Bobby Bank/Getty Images
While two actors played Lionel Jefferson, Berlinda Tolbert was the one and only Jenny Willis Jefferson. Jenny, the daughter of the interracial couple Tom and Helen Willis, married Lionel in season two, though their relationship had its ups and downs throughout the show.
Tolbert stayed busy after The Jeffersons, appearing in shows like Home Improvement, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and even making a quick appearance in Goodfellas. One of her most notable film roles came in Harlem Nights, where she played Richard Pryor‘s wife. In the late 2000s, she retired from acting to care for her aging parents. Now 75, she’s enjoying a well-earned retirement.
Jay Hammer (80)
Allan Willis
Everett Collection
Jay Hammer joined The Jeffersons as Allan Willis, the son of Tom and Helen. Though his time on the show was brief, he made an impression as one of the few who could go toe-to-toe with George Jefferson.
After The Jeffersons, Hammer found lasting success on the soap opera Guiding Light, playing journalist Fletcher Reade from ’84 to ’98. He has no recent acting credits, suggesting he’s enjoying life out of the spotlight.
Marla Gibbs (93)
Florence Johnston
Everett Collection; Amanda Edwards/Getty Images
If there was one person who could keep George Jefferson in check, it was Florence Johnston. Played by the legendary Marla Gibbs, Florence was the no-nonsense, quick-witted maid who stole every scene she was in. Her comedic timing was unmatched, and she earned five Emmy nominations for her work on the show.
Gibbs didn’t slow down after The Jeffersons. She starred in 227, a hit sitcom that introduced the world to Regina King and went on to appear in countless TV shows, from Dawson’s Creek to Scandal. Now 93, Gibbs is a true television icon, and she finally got her well-deserved star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Tell us, who was your favorite character in the beloved sitcom?
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